In the 1950s and 60s, one Indianapolis homeowner had to build a fence around his property just to keep curious strangers away, all because of an urban legend that wouldn’t die.
Indiana’s Most Popular Urban Legend
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Every state has its share of local folklore, and for Indiana, that title goes to the eerie tale of the House of Blue Lights. According to Explore, this is Indiana’s most talked-about urban legend—one that had real-life consequences for the homeowner involved.
The Legend of the House of Blue Lights
Back in the day, crowds would gather outside a glowing Indianapolis home, lured by a chilling tale. As the story went, the house belonged to a man whose beloved wife had died. In his grief, he supposedly preserved her casket inside the house and wrapped it in blue lights as a tribute.
To be clear—this never happened.
Yes, there was a man named Skiles Test who owned the home. Yes, the house had a mysterious blue glow. But no, there was no preserved casket or eerie shrine. In fact, all of Skiles’ wives outlived him.
The Real Reason for the Blue Glow
Skiles Test was a wealthy local eccentric known for his love of the color blue. According to Historic Indianapolis, he decorated his home with blue Christmas lights every year. He also had a large swimming pool in the back and used blue bug-zapper lights to keep insects away. Together, these lights gave the home its strange blue glow and sparked a rumor that spiraled out of control.
From Folklore to Frustration
At first, Skiles found the legend amusing. But by the mid-1950s, things had gotten out of hand. His home became a hot spot for thrill-seekers and late-night visitors. Despite putting up a fence, trespassers kept showing up, causing him serious stress and health concerns.
The House Is Gone, But the Legend Lives On
Skiles Test passed away in 1964, and the house was demolished in the 1970s. But the legend of the House of Blue Lights still fascinates people today. The tale may be rooted in fiction, but its impact was very real. Skiles’ glowing home lives on in Indiana lore as one of the state’s most unforgettable mysteries.
